Fort Young Hotel
- Category
- Hotels & Resorts
- Island
- Dominica
- Location
- Roseau & Roseau Valley, St George
- Prices from:
- US $85.00/ room/night ? view all rates
At a glance
Fort Young is widely acknowledged as the premier hotel in the country with a magnificent oceanfront setting in the capital Roseau, an historic ambience sensitively sustained in its newer additions and a wide range of modern facilities befitting a progressive 21st Century establishment. Perched on a cliff edge on the southern outskirts of the city, the full panoply of attractions is not immediately apparent on entering the cobbled ‘olde worlde’ charm of the reception area off Victoria Street.
- Best for:
- Scuba diving, Single travel, Corporate and Incentive
- Who for:
- Independent travellers
- How to get there:
- From the UK by British Airways or Virgin Atlantic into Antigua, from France via Air France into Guadeloupe or Martinique and from North America by American Airlines into San Juan, Puerto Rico
Key features
High quality Dominica hotel with Waterfront Restaurant, Boardwalk Cafe Bar, Sea Breeze Bar, Bala’s Bar & Courtyard. Conference and meeting facilities, business centre and in-house tour desk. Dedicated dive shop, spa, gym, infinity pool, Jacuzzi sundeck with 3 whirlpools. Duty-free shopping, private jetty with mooring facilities.
Style:
Fusion of tropical modernity and relaxed ‘olde worlde’ atmosphere carried off with distinction. Solid historic stonework, polished cobblestone, stripped timber pergolas and walkways redolent of the old fort’s ramparts set off by well designed planters and shrubbery.
Client Profile:
Around 60% of the hotel’s guests are business oriented, the remainder arriving for diving, adventure or hiking vacations. The majority are North America based with significant numbers from the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe and elsewhere in the Caribbean
Journalist’s Review
Beach & Swimming
The hotel's shoreline is rough pebbles, effectively inaccessible and unsuitable for swimming though locals occasionally brave the early morning waters and departing cruise liners off the jetty. The elevated infinity pool, waterfall and hot and cold Jacuzzis on an expansive decked area are an excellent asset, affording wonderful views south down the coastline to Scotts Head and the Soufriere marine reserve. River swimming is popular in many locations and there are hot volcanic springs at Wotten Waven which tour operator KHATTTS can facilitate.
Sports & Recreation
Guests at Fort Young are fortunate in having the leading Dominican tour operation on site, KHATTS, with their booking and information desk located on the terrace immediately above the reception and courtyard area. The desk is normally manned by operations manager Sonia Lander, or driver, guide and all round sage, Martin. The waterfront dive shop on the boardwalk also doubles as the KHATTS HQ where managing director Kenneth George Dill can be located. Dominica has world class scuba diving, snorkelling and year-round whale watching and the shop is linked to the PADI accredited Dive Dominica at nearby Castle Comfort, while Ken is a font of knowledge on a wide range of adventure activities and hiking islandwide. The hotel spa offers an eclectic mix of massage, manicure and pedicure treatments using unique local oil formulations. There are two duty-free shops on the boardwalk - Jewellers International and Whitchurch Duty Free.
Staff
The hotel under General Manager, Mrs Frederque Huard, currently has 111 staff with an ultra efficient, accommodating front desk and several long term employees of twenty years standing. Dominican Head Chef Floyd Bell has presided over the kitchen since October 2010 and has already brought a personal flair to local dishes.
The Rooms
Seventy one commodious rooms are ranged over three levels (elevator access if required) including three Oceanfront Suites and eighteen Deluxe Oceanfront Rooms with good sized bathrooms and private balconies affording panoramic sea views and a compelling close-up view of cruise liners when docked at the adjacent Roseau Bay cruise ship jetty. Sensitively furnished with interesting artwork, the well appointed standard and 'fort' rooms are good sized and equipped with free internet (WiFi is available in the Bala Bar area), cable TV and mini bar.
Dining
The main Waterfront Restaurant and verandah commands a sublime first floor location and specialises in Creole and international fare, with buffet lunches served daily - open for breakfast from 7-10am and dinner 7-10pm. The Boardwalk Cafe Bar beneath (which is also accessible from Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard, formerly Bay Street) is a great cool-out spot and a favourite Friday night venue for the 6-8pm Happy Hour and live music until 10.30pm. Bala's Bar & Courtyard in the original part of the hotel by reception is comfortable and laid back. Its is perfect for a selection of lighter meals and brunch, and is also a good meeting point - bar open from 10am to 11pm and snacks available 11am to 10pm.
Weddings
Fort Young Hotel is a fine venue for any wedding celebration and special packages are available from US$1000 which includes all marriage documentation, commissioner and registrar fees, a half hour couples massage, Champagne, dinner, bridal bouquet and wedding cake. The price does not include accommodation which must be booked in an Oceanfront Room, Deluxe Oceanfront Room or Oceanfront Suite.
Locality
The hotel is only a minute's stroll from the hustle and bustle of the cruise ship pier and the delights of downtown Roseau, which still retains an authentic West Indian feel in its architecture and ambience. Although essentially an urban establishment, the seaward perspective is always alluring, especially with a cruise ship in port, and the landward side beyond Victoria Street is dominated by the mountainous hinterland and Morne Bruce.
Getting Around
Roseau is a place for walking, and Fort Young is ideally situated for visiting the Old Slave Market, the Museum, Marketplace, the Botanical Gardens, Windsor Park Stadium and many other attractions. For further afield it's wise to consult KHATTS Tours, which is based in-house, who will also be happy to arrange local taxi services in and around town for those less inclined to walk. Driving yourself in Dominica beyond the capital is a viable option and Island Car Rentals offer a top rate service and a wide range of four-wheel drive vehicles, which are a must in some areas of the country.
